Hydrodynamic and Geochemical Featuresof Metamorphic Carbonate Aquifers and Implications for Water Management: The Apuan Alps (NW Tuscany, Italy) Case Study

In this chapter the authors. state that critical features in carbonate rocks can be accentuated in metamorphosed carbonates, because of the massive structure of the rock that favors a low density of the karst network, and a preferential flow pattern throughout well-developed karst conduits. Furthermore, these rocks are often subject to quarrying and associated risk of pollution, mainly due to the fine slurry produced during marble cutting. This chapter presents the case study of the Apuan Alps (NW Tuscany, Italy). The main results derived from several years of study in the region are discussed in order to underline the high complexity of aquifer systems hosted in metamorphic carbonate rocks and the need for multidisciplinary studies that can provide knowledge useful for managing water resources in these very complex environments.